The National tribune., 1887-04-07
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital

carry his clothing with much less fatigue lhah
by the use OF the kugpsack. lt was the e&-
perienco Of many army officers during the war
OF the rebellion, that soldiers invariably on long
marches threw away their knapsaCks, together
with the clothing contained Ia them OF else
Al determined to save some clothing, did so by
wrapping ID up Ia the folded blanket, which they
wore over the left shoulder During The
Franco-Prussian war, many regiments trans
ported their clothing wrapped in blankets ana
worn suspended from the leit shoulder. The
ends OF the blanket were secured by straps or
cord at the right side. The right shoulder re
manned free for the carrying OF the uhe and
an easy movement Of the right arm. The
different forms of knapsaczs in use In the Ger
man, Austrian, French, Italian, Swiss English,
and American armies are clumsy, heavy and
too fatiruinC for the soldiers The Ger
man Government recognizes these detects m
the present system of transporting clothing,
aud prize has been accordingly offered for the
best mode Of carrying the soldiers extra cloth
ing while in the field.
The American kuapsaol1 and clothing bag
are exceedingly faulty, and must necessarily
weary and lame the soldier and lie thrown
away whenever an opportunity offers. I'm
doubtedly good plan is needed for carrying
the extra clothing when i'm the field. DR.
ThOrntOn's case Is made OF light canvas rub
her cloth or waterproof cloth. ltwelghs seven
and one half ounces strip Of cloth four feet
six inches long and sixteen inches OF eighteen
inches wide is folded loHPitudinally, 10 make
pocket six or eight inches deep, with a COW
ering flap The ends are sewcd Up, aud some
stitches nj a third of its length make three
equal divisions. Six buttons hold the nap ln
place when filled. Loops at 81 ther end enable
tie soldier 10 wear il secured at the ends over
the left shoulder, without blanket or Overcoat
If desired. For inspection it can be spread out
or top Of the blankets, on the mattress, or
a.rs aKsy1li
hold one pair Of drawers, two shirts, two pairs
OF stockings, towels and extra pieces OF cloth
ing. d. is useful in that IL can be worn FOR
DAYS without giving fatigue, aud the weight rs
so evenly distributed that the soldier is not
fatigued or disposed 10 throw il away. Upon
reaching camp the blanket can be unrolled
and the case hung up or thrown in a corner,
the clothing remaining in the case clean and
undistuTbcd.
IL the clothing were simply rolled in the
blanket, ID would be likely 10 get scattered
about the tent, and soiled OF wet with mnd
and rain. The case does away with the neces-
sty of knapsacE and clothing bag and can be
furnished at slight expense, and rapidly and
easily manufactured. No clothing case could
be more easily carried than one suspended
from the shoulder.
ID Is intended that this case be worn in the
folded blanket or OvercOat, from the left
shoulder, giving the right arm full play and
allowing the right shoulder to be free for car
rying the rife.
EXERCISE FOR THE PRESIDENT.
In spite of the vigorous denials there is un.
doubleday much in the Presidents physical
condition to alarm his friends. lie has IN
creased very rapidly IN flesh, and there are un-
pleasant symptoms 10 which his physicians can
mot shut their eyes. The evils are attributed
10 his close devotion to Office work, indulgence
in heavy eating, and neglect OF outdoor exer-
cise All agree as ~ exercise as remedy, but
the difficulty is as 10 its administration. When
man has no decided appetite for bodily exer-
tion, and is not under the necessity of resort
ing 10 il TO get his daily bread and oeomarga-
rine, IL is pretty hard to get him TO take enough
90 keep his flesh under control. OF course, il
hr. Cleveland really wanted 10 work of some
Of bis superlluous Rcsh he could ind many
opportunities for il around the White House IA
anywhere else. He could spend an hour or two
daily helping the men who keep ia order the
spacious grounds about the Mansion. Pushing
heavy roller over the acres Of sward, raking
mp the stray leaves. straw and bits of paper that
the Ahrch winds have distributed very literally
about, and repairing the damages IN the Serpen-
tine walks, would, these balmy Spring days
reduce has flesh like a stick OF candy IN child't
mouth. Then, too, the spectacle Of Mr.. Glove
Land in Lie shirt-sleeves, trimming the luXuri
ant trees and carrying the brush away would
make 1ne illustration for the country week
lies. Or, ii lac docs not like 30 take his exercise
NO publicly. he might rig up a saw-buck In the
basement and take the job of supplying the
Kitchen with stoye-wood. The are few better
systems Of physical exercise than that furnished
by dull SAW and cord Of tough hickory. But
none OF theSt methods nave commended them
selves 10 the Presidents advisers. They hav,
suggested walks about the Capital. but are mel
with the complaint that the appearance OF the
President on lOOtOn the streets attracts observa
fiOn from the curious crowds that is unpleasant
10 its object Gen. Grant used 10 walk about Tn,
streets, look into the shop windows, and ente
the stores Just as any private citizen would
and he never complained OF any Obirusive at
tention from those he met, but either Mr.
Cleveland is different from Gen. Grant, o.
Washington people are different from thosl
who lived here AZ years ago. The latest sng
Restion is o saddle-horse, and it is likely tina
the President viii adopt this, or at least maxi
trial OF IL. Mrs. Cleveland has shown her5el
well disposed 10 the idea. There have beer
several paper ehascs here lately, which hay
brought out the fashionable people in laTg
numbers. In these one young gentleman
mounted on q swift horse. and carrying a bal
filled with little bits of pink tissue paper
dashcs away from the place Of assembling, an'
marks bis tIal by scattering handluls Of paper
lie is given 10 minutes start aud then the res
cultivated by fashionable men and women. tn
Affairs are made quite brilliant and interesting
large nui4ber who do not care TO ride follol
along the road IN carriages. The chase end
a some country resort, where supper Is serve
prizes awarded to the best lady and gentlema
Tiders and aftorward dancing and Jolly rid
homeward. MIs. Cleveland has attended tW
chascs recently, and is reported TO be anxiou
10 join some one OF the regular riding partie
IL s believed that the President will DO LIKE
wise, and hc Is being encouraged in the ide
Should he do So let him beware of the dead
saddle pOnmcl' az which he has sneered /
often IN his YetOcs OF pension bills. il has slai
more men than the bayOnet since the day thi
William the ConquerOr was sent 20 his deaf
by Its agency.
THE NEW DISTRICT JUDGE.
Hon. NJ " Montgomery, who recently =
signed the position Of Commissioner OF Pa
ents because the worry and responsible
tcs OF the place were more than he felt
ought 10 assume l0f asalary OF $4,000 a Yea
has been appointed one oil the Judges OF Che s
prenie Court OF the District of Columbia. III
salary Of this Office is $1,000 but il is a lii
long position, aud It's duties are more cOngeni
10 Mr Montgomery, who was one OF the lea
ing lawyers Of Michigan before his appoiu
mcnt lie WIS born In isl0. and at the guthrie,
of the war enlisted IN the % Mich Cav d
after serving several months contracted dis
billty which necessitated his discharge.
gave great atislaction as Commissioner Of Ia
onts, aud viii undoubtedly reflect honor np
the Supreme Bench Of the District
BHhId WOMEN HAVE THEIR FFrepaN,